the very rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the fundamental reasoning or justification behind a particular idea or action. Example: "The very rationale for implementing this policy is to enhance employee productivity and satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But as the technology market has come down to earth, some people are questioning the very rationale behind taking public what is essentially a venture capital firm.

The New York Times

It is not one driven by the bottom-line business logic of the Premier League but by a threat to the very rationale for pouring hundreds of millions of pounds of public money into Olympic sport, a process that propelled Britain from 36th to third in the medal table in 16 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simply taking a hands-off approach to high-frequency trading fuels the perception that the markets are the rigged game that Mr. Lewis portrayed, producing profits from trading on information unavailable to ordinary investors — the very rationale for outlawing insider trading.

The New York Times

The very rationale for these born global international subsidiaries is to exploit the international market opportunities – both in terms of lowering costs as well as expanded revenues.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

He noted that this fundamentally alters the participant's phenomenology of the experiment, transforming the task into an explicit ESP challenge and thereby undermining the very rationale for using an implicit response measure of psi in the first place.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Relevant clinical factors to describe the epidemiology of these subgroups of coagulopathy in critical care have been described previously [ 18], but our data in this paper extend these findings and illustrate the very uncertain rationale underpinning FFP administration, which must raise questions about the appropriateness of use and effectiveness of FFP.

Critical Care

Dwight Eisenhower was the first with national governmental power, but he was transported quickly after birth to the more rational climes of midwestern Kansas, where he seemingly developed the very un-Texas rationale of thinking before getting into fights.

The Guardian

But law's obligatoriness and authority is subject to further conditions, derived from the very nature and rationale of political authority.

SEP

Ms. Stoughton told the appeals court that at the very least, the legal rationale for keeping the order secret should not be kept from the public "behind closed doors".

The New York Times

BUT the very murkiness of the diversity rationale, dissenting appellate judges in Ms. Fisher's case wrote, exists uneasily in a legal system that aspires to analytical rigor policed by judicial scrutiny.

The New York Times

One of the council's publications begins:Although the rationale for the very existence of business at law and in other respects is to generate acceptable returns for its shareholders and investors, business and business leaders have, over the centuries, made significant contributions to the societies of which they form part.Why yes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very rationale" when you want to emphasize the foundational and often unquestioned reason behind a decision, action, or belief. It adds a layer of importance to the justification.

Common error

Avoid using "the very rationale" in simple, straightforward explanations where a more direct term like "reason" or "explanation" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very rationale" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes the fundamental or core reasoning behind a decision, action, or belief. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English and can be used to emphasize the fundamental reasoning behind a particular idea or action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very rationale" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the most fundamental reasoning behind an action, decision, or belief. While grammatically correct and found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, according to Ludwig, it's relatively rare and leans towards a neutral to formal register. When writing, use this phrase to highlight core justifications, but avoid overuse in simpler explanations where a more direct term would suffice. Alternatives include phrases like "the underlying reason" or "the fundamental justification".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the fundamental justification

Highlights the core defense or support for an action or belief.

the core logic

Emphasizes the fundamental reasoning structure.

the essential reasoning

Emphasizes the critical thought process behind a decision.

the underlying reason

Focuses on the foundational cause or explanation.

the basic principle

Points to the foundational concept or rule.

the central argument

Highlights the main point or claim being made.

the primary motive

Stresses the main driving force or incentive.

the driving force

Highlights the major factor or influence.

the mainspring

Implies a source or cause; the basic or chief motive or reason.

the impetus behind

Focuses on what drives something forward; the momentum or motivation.

FAQs

How can I use "the very rationale" in a sentence?

Use "the very rationale" to highlight the most basic and fundamental reason behind something. For example: "The very rationale for this law is to protect children."

What can I say instead of "the very rationale"?

You can use alternatives like "the underlying reason", "the fundamental justification", or "the essential reasoning" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "the very rationale"?

While "rationale" itself implies a fundamental reason, adding "the very" emphasizes its core importance. It's not strictly redundant, but use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly emphatic in every context.

What's the difference between "the rationale" and "the very rationale"?

"The rationale" simply refers to the reasoning behind something. "The very rationale" emphasizes that you're referring to the most basic, fundamental, and essential reason. It adds a layer of importance and focus.